Park spokesperson Al Nash addressed concerns that the downed aircraft, which sank into the 370-foot-wide and 121-foot-deep "boiling lake," could potentially damage the famous natural landmark."What we have to determine is whether the presence of this radio-controlled recreational aircraft poses a threat to that unique resource," Nash said."We are trying to determine if we can locate it, and if we locate it, if we'll be able to remove it. Our concern is about any potential impacts to the iconic Yellowstone thermal feature."

Well, I should hope a 1lb plastic toy can't make that much of a difference. That's a fair amount of water and energy and a very small interruption. I'd think a strong rainstorm would have a greater effect on it.

Bullshiat that a drone can't be flown over some of the most beautiful and pristine land our country has left.What was the thinking? That it would disturb the mosquitos? Maybe camping nudists?I really would want to know the reasoning.

Fiction Fan:Bullshiat that a drone can't be flown over some of the most beautiful and pristine land our country has left.What was the thinking? That it would disturb the mosquitos? Maybe camping nudists?I really would want to know the reasoning.

Fiction Fan:Bullshiat that a drone can't be flown over some of the most beautiful and pristine land our country has left.What was the thinking? That it would disturb the mosquitos? Maybe camping nudists?I really would want to know the reasoning.

They are a nuisance. You are not the only trying to enjoy the most beautiful and pristine land our country has left. Completely support the ban and it should be extended to all Federally administered wilderness areas as well.

Oh really.. a little toy helicopter is really going to hurt the 3rd largest stinkhole in the world??? So, just how many snipers protect this hole each day from stray birds that may fly over; talking LARGE hawks and buzzards.... and where were these damned snipers when they 'choppa' was flown over it?? Piss poor shots?

Should add onto the story on how many people in Florida claim to have felt the impact of the crash/sinking/BS...

Ow! That was my feelings!:Fiction Fan: Bullshiat that a drone can't be flown over some of the most beautiful and pristine land our country has left.What was the thinking? That it would disturb the mosquitos? Maybe camping nudists?I really would want to know the reasoning.

They are a nuisance. You are not the only trying to enjoy the most beautiful and pristine land our country has left. Completely support the ban and it should be extended to all Federally administered wilderness areas as well.

drjekel_mrhyde:These people feel that they can fly these things any and everywhere they want./Read the comments on The Verge if you don't believe me

I wonder why? Before the "drone" craze hobbiest RC copter pilots respected other peoples properities, privacy and flew their birds in parks and remote fields away from people.. Now people feel they can just launch one of these drones in a crowded public place with cameras attached and don't understand why people look annoyed as shiat.

Fiction Fan:Bullshiat that a drone can't be flown over some of the most beautiful and pristine land our country has left.What was the thinking? That it would disturb the mosquitos? Maybe camping nudists?I really would want to know the reasoning.

It would probably become very apparent to you if one were flying over your head and some knucklehead with $500 spare bucks decided that owning a DJI Phantom seemed like a great first 'copter.

Also, the LiPo batteries that power most UAVs ("drones") have a nasty habit of becoming miniature firebombs when they crash. Just what a place like Yosemite or Yellowstone needs during fire season. See a small example: http://youtu.be/RwXpYLHyNf4?t=1m46s

styckx:drjekel_mrhyde: These people feel that they can fly these things any and everywhere they want./Read the comments on The Verge if you don't believe me

I wonder why? Before the "drone" craze hobbiest RC copter pilots respected other peoples properities, privacy and flew their birds in parks and remote fields away from people.. Now people feel they can just launch one of these drones in a crowded public place with cameras attached and don't understand why people look annoyed as shiat.

The cameras have made all the difference.

The reason the RC pilots flew in open fields is so they could watch the craft fly. Line of sight was the only means of navigation and control.

Now, the video/photo is the goal, and also the navigation -- watching them take off and return is boring compared to monitoring them on your display.

Lsherm:Well, I should hope a 1lb plastic toy can't make that much of a difference. That's a fair amount of water and energy and a very small interruption. I'd think a strong rainstorm would have a greater effect on it.

Yes, and throwing out the litter from your trip to McDonald's won't matter either, but if everyone does it then it becomes a problem.

Lenny_da_Hog:styckx: drjekel_mrhyde: These people feel that they can fly these things any and everywhere they want./Read the comments on The Verge if you don't believe me

I wonder why? Before the "drone" craze hobbiest RC copter pilots respected other peoples properities, privacy and flew their birds in parks and remote fields away from people.. Now people feel they can just launch one of these drones in a crowded public place with cameras attached and don't understand why people look annoyed as shiat.

The cameras have made all the difference.

The reason the RC pilots flew in open fields is so they could watch the craft fly. Line of sight was the only means of navigation and control.

Now, the video/photo is the goal, and also the navigation -- watching them take off and return is boring compared to monitoring them on your display.

This x10,000.

What a stupid question.

As far as I'm concerned, it's PASS THE POPCORN time for any people / gubbermint agencies that wanna try and put their fingers in the dyke regarding this hobby. Surprised it hasn't come to a head earlier. Some dude was buzzing NYC landmarks with a camera drone ~2 years ago, wasn't he?

Mark my words, in the next decade this is gonna take all sorts of twists. Fighter drones taking down camera drones. Federal agencies trying to jail hobbyists. You name it.

I dunno about you, but I still haven't put a camera on my Walkera QR X-350. Weighs a lot more than a pound, most of it battery. Have a nice flight program for it, just hook the USB to it, program altitude, heading, bearing, speed, etc, and it'll take off by itself, fly a circuit, and land wherever you want. Not bad for under 400 bucks.

Ow! That was my feelings!:Fiction Fan: Bullshiat that a drone can't be flown over some of the most beautiful and pristine land our country has left.What was the thinking? That it would disturb the mosquitos? Maybe camping nudists?I really would want to know the reasoning.

They are a nuisance. You are not the only trying to enjoy the most beautiful and pristine land our country has left. Completely support the ban and it should be extended to all Federally administered wilderness areas as well.

I am with you on banning them over national parks... but here in Arapaho National Forest, there are plenty of good uses for them, from mapping to getting neat shots for backcountry skiing/snowboarding. Though I expect quiet time in the national parks, here in the national forest, where there's hunting, camping, highways, snowboarding, mountain biking, etc, I don't really have the same expectations.

wildcardjack:IWhat about a balloon + GoPro + string? Box kites? That'll be safe but still allow you to find where the park rangers are growing the pot that makes up for the lousy pay.

Can't grow any pot around Yellowstone. The season is too short, it's rocky as hell, and the soil sucks. Farm country it's not.

And besides, you know those park rangers are high on life, not drugs. Simple people who enjoy simple pleasures--hiking, watching nature, waiting for tourist season to be over. Sticking firecrackers up bison's butts.

firefly212:Ow! That was my feelings!: Fiction Fan: Bullshiat that a drone can't be flown over some of the most beautiful and pristine land our country has left.What was the thinking? That it would disturb the mosquitos? Maybe camping nudists?I really would want to know the reasoning.

They are a nuisance. You are not the only trying to enjoy the most beautiful and pristine land our country has left. Completely support the ban and it should be extended to all Federally administered wilderness areas as well.

I am with you on banning them over national parks... but here in Arapaho National Forest, there are plenty of good uses for them, from mapping to getting neat shots for backcountry skiing/snowboarding. Though I expect quiet time in the national parks, here in the national forest, where there's hunting, camping, highways, snowboarding, mountain biking, etc, I don't really have the same expectations.

Eh, I stated established Wilderness Areas, where even bicycles are banned. If I'm in a developed camping area or another developed area of the forest system, I have a different set of expectations.

Heh, probably. If you can grow Cannabis at 9,000ft in Colorado, you can grow it at 8,000ft around Yellowstone. Have to fence out the deer and elk and obviously do soil prep, which you would do anyway. Not ideal, but a personal crop can be had. Or so I've heard.

Oh man, as much as Google Glass gets tempers boiling, I can't wait to see the epic teeth gnashing when they develop an autonomous companion drone that just flits around the user like a high tech hummingbird.

This is the only right answer. I went to Yellowstone not long ago and saw the occasional hat or trinket by the springs and pools... If someone had wandered down and fallen in, they would have died. Years ago a guy kept in after a dog. He was cooked and died a day later.

styckx:drjekel_mrhyde: These people feel that they can fly these things any and everywhere they want./Read the comments on The Verge if you don't believe me

I wonder why? Before the "drone" craze hobbiest RC copter pilots respected other peoples properities, privacy and flew their birds in parks and remote fields away from people.. Now people feel they can just launch one of these drones in a crowded public place with cameras attached and don't understand why people look annoyed as shiat.

I'm still trying to figure out when any and every remote controlled flying toy became a "drone" the way every brown person who's name ends in "ad, ed, or al" became a potential terrorist.

Some guys used to fly them in the park behind our house and almost the whole neighborhood would turn out. Seems to me Yellowstone would be a great place to do this.